I wasn’t tagged for this one, but saw it on Evelyn’s blog – Evelyn Reads. Great blog, everyone should check it out and give her a follow if you’re not already!
How long have you been blogging?
Not counting my previous life (heh), I’ve been book blogging since late 2017, so a little over a year and a half now.
What is the best thing about blogging?
Oh, so many things, I can’t choose. The community is great, have made a lot of new bookish friends, have discovered tons of more books that I probably would have missed, and it also gives me a sense of accomplishment. And, I think I’ve become slightly better at writing reviews. 🙂
What is the worst thing? What do you do to make it okay?
Hmm, the worst thing is that it can just be very time consuming if you let it and sometimes it can be stressful if you hold yourself to a strict schedule. I generally try to stay ahead of things as much as I can so that if I fall behind or something comes up then I’m not feeling pressure (that I put on myself). I also try not to stress. There have been some days where I just didn’t have a post ready so it’s gif post ‘gone reading’ day lol! Things happen, life happens, I try not worry too much about it. I’m not always successful though, lol.
How long does it take you to make/find pictures to take?
I’m terrible at graphics because I no longer have photoshop and I’m not good at the free photo editors, so I usually just try to hunt down royalty free stock images or take my own pictures. I don’t get too caught up in making perfect pics for insta, so maybe at most ten minutes.
What is your book crush?
I’ve answered this previously, still the same: I don’t really have one but I guess Mr. Darcy if I had to pick.
What author would you like as guest on your blog?
Oooh, scary. I don’t know that I’d have authors guest on my blog? Guest posts and interviews and such are things I haven’t really done yet. I kind of feel like this is my space and I’m a little protective of it. But I’d love to talk about some of my favorite authors! Which would be quite a list….
What do you wear when you write blog posts?
Hahaha, this is a funny question. I guess it depends when I’m blogging. Sometimes I blog at work, sometimes at home after work. I guess anything from pants and tee-shirts to pjs. 😀
How long does it take you to prepare?
It depends on the post. Can’t-Wait Wednesday posts are quick ones, can do up a post in about 5 or 6 minutes, but I also need to research what books are coming out that I’m interested in which can take some time. My reviews can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour to write, it really depends on the review and how easy it comes to me. Friday Favorite Five posts can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how hard a topic it is. I also have to come up with the topics every few weeks so that takes time brainstorming. Book tags are usually about twenty minutes or so? Anyway, it varies but I figured I put in anywhere from 15-20 hours a week into blogging activities (writing posts, blog maintenance, blog hopping, social media).
How do you feel about the book blogging community?
I love it! It’s so much fun and I’ve made so many new friends. I love being part of things. 🙂
What do you think one should do to get a successful blog?
Just do your thing, let your love of whatever your blogging about show through. There aren’t really any rules. I guess it also depends on how you define success. If you want to get stats that’s one thing and there are specific steps you can take to get more followers and higher stats, but if you just want a fun hobby then you do you!
I tag (if you haven’t done it yet): As per usual, not tagging anyone, but if you haven’t done this one yet and feel like filling it out, consider yourself tagged.
Way Too Fantasy 
I can definitely relate to the stress of being behind and trying to stick to a schedule. Over the years I’ve had ups and downs about managing blogging around LIFE and it’s always something I have to work hard at. I guess its proof that you’re enjoying something when you keep going despite those struggles!
Thanks, Tammy! Yeah, it’s definitely a balancing act! I really do love it though. Talking about books is one of my favorite things ever. 😀
Ah thanks 🙂
Love reading your answers!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thanks! 😀
I love this! Oh my gosh, it can be so stressful – I spent a couple of hours blogging this morning and that was just scheduling stuff and half a post and I had no idea where the time went. Loved reading through your answers here.
Thanks! It can definitely be stressful I’d you let it. I’m really behind on reviews right now and it’s stressing me a bit but oh well. Lol
Good luck! I hope you can have a good catching up/reading session and feel back in control again.
Thank you!
This is such a great tag! Can totally relate to the stress of being behind. It distracts me from everything! xo
Thanks! I think the stress is tough to avoid sometimes.
I blog at work too 😀 (shhh don’t tell my boss! haha) Great answers 😀
Hah, another rebel–love it. My boss is going on vacay first week of August, can’t wait, going to get soooooo caught up on things lol.
Blogging is definitely time consuming, and I guess that takes time away from reading, but it also gives us a wonderful community of people to chat or vent with about the books we love – that’s the real bonus for me and what makes it worthwhile. Plus, I’ve been introduced to so many good authors and books since I started blogging, – I guess before I was in my own little book bubble, I’d look around at books and reviews but I wasn’t really chatting with anybody so I’d try and figure out which books would work for me – I still do that to an extent but I have so many bloggers who I trust and value their opinions – yours for example.
Lynn 😀
Oh this is definitely the same for me. Even hanging out on the reddit’s r/fantasy forum being exposed to more books and authors as I am there…well even that is a bubble. I didn’t realize how much other stuff was out there until I started blogging. It’s a labor but a labor of love.
Thanks, Lynn! I value your opinion as well. 🙂
Oh god, I would KILL to be able write a coherent review in 20 minutes! I need to borrow your brain. 😀 And blogging stress gets really hard sometimes! I’m trying to be kinder to myself about not writing “perfect” blog posts, because heck, I’m doing this for free and it’s not like I’m submitting them to official sites or anything!
It doesn’t happen all that often! And most of they’re not all that coherent LOL 😀
I think we bloggers all need to be kinder to ourselves. I think a lot of us hold ourselves to high standards because, let’s face it, it’s what’s ‘expected’ from us (social pressures to be the best, keep up with others, get good stats for publishers, etc) but at the end of the day it IS a hobby and if we’re not having fun with it then what’s the point, you know? 🙂
Really love the blogging community as well 🙂 Yeah I’m scared of interviews and guest posts too (actually the thought of ever having to do an interview makes me want to hide under my bed! 😉 ) Also agree that success in blogging depends on how you define it! Loved reading your answers to this!
Yes, I feel the same way about interviews! Like, what to even ask people? LOL Thanks! ❤